Day 6
Proverbs 10:6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
Often someone might tell you rather piously I serve God not for reward but because I love Him. And in many ways that is quite noble although I’m not so sure it’s right to let others know; however the bible does talk of rewards, Jesus talks about laying up for yourself treasures in heaven, we see it in parables and here we see that blessings crown the head of the righteous.
What blessings? We don't know, we are not told. Is it the blessing of a long life? Are we talking about the covenant blessing of good harvests? Are we talking showers of blessings? Deuteronomy 28 may well be in view here; if you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you. I love that God promises blessing; however let’s not set our sights too low. The Prosperity gospel which is no gospel promises health, wealth and happiness in this life, yet the rewards Christ offers make those fleeting trinkets seem so worthless. It’s a crown that is promised and one that we will lay down before King Jesus on that day. It’s well worth living righteously.
The opposite also seems to play out. In covenant terms violence seems to mark out the way of the wicked. Of course these are those gritty observations of life, no doubt there are numerous occasions when it doesn't seem that way; you might want to berate Solomon, it's fine for you in your comfy palace, you need to get out a bit more, it doesn’t look like that from where I’m standing!
But of course the final reckoning isn’t seen yet. Many times what looks like setbacks have turned out to be a blessing farther down the road. I wonder if the truth in Proverbs is that ultimately we don't just have two ways we have two destinations. Blessing as a result of righteousness, rewards and treasure in following Christ or punishment and overwhelmed by wickedness in choosing another path.
Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”